Neil Critchley will get ‘statue outside Tynecastle’ if he achieves these four Hearts aims this season

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Ryan Stevenson thinks Hearts boss Neil Critchley will be honoured with a Tynecastle statue if he meets four milestones this season.

Talk of statues was a far cry away for Critchley during his first few months in charge. Hearts were still bottom of the Premiership at Christmas after a derby defeat to Hibs.

But after an impressive January transfer window, Critchley has shaped the squad he inherited into his own form and the results have been impressive.

Hearts squeezed into the top six of the league before the international break with a 2-0 home victory over Ross County.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
4	AberdeenAberdeen	30	12	7	11	38	46	-8	43
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	30	11	8	11	38	40	-2	41
6	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	30	11	6	13	43	40	3	39
7	MotherwellMotherwell	30	11	5	14	36	50	-14	38

They’ve only lost two games across 2025 so far and Stevenson thinks the Jambos squad owe it to Critchley to finish the season as best they can.

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Ryan Stevenson says Hearts owe Critchley success

And the former midfielder believes by reaching the top six, finishing above Hibs, qualifying for European football and winning the Scottish Cup, Critchley will go down in Hearts history.

Writing in his Daily Record column, Stevo said: “They have four games that will make or break their season and they OWE it to Neil Critchley to do the business.

“I admit I was skeptical when the manager came in. It was a case of wait and see but you have to look at where the club was when he came in to where they are now.

“He’s done a sensational job. Yes, the last couple of derbies have hurt badly. But, bigger picture, Hearts can seal their place in the top six in the remaining matches to the split and then claim a spot in the Scottish Cup Final.

“A campaign that could have been a total nightmare could turn out to be something special. If Critchley can bag top six, finish above Hibs and get into Europe and then win the cup, there will be a statue outside Tynecastle.

“Whether or not they get the chance to shoot for those targets depends on the next couple of weeks.

“An entire season boils down to these next four games. Celtic at Parkhead, Dundee United and then Motherwell before the split, then Aberdeen at Hampden in the Scottish Cup.

“This is what it’s all about. It’s make or break time but everyone at Hearts shouldn’t be daunted – they should be excited.”

Six Hearts injury updates ahead of Celtic

It’s an extremely tough to those four next matches for the Jambos, starting at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon in the Premiership.

And Hearts will be hoping January recruit Jamie McCart is fit enough to slot back into the heart of the defence in Glasgow.

McCart suffered a leg injury and missed Hearts’ win over Dundee in the Scottish Cup and the triumph against Ross County in Gorgie.

Lewis Neilson deputised for McCart and played well alongside Michael Steinwender as the temporary pair conceded just one goal across the two games.

According to the Edinburgh Evening News, McCart will be assessed by the medical department at Riccarton before a decision is made over his involvement against Celtic.

Elsewhere, Gerald Taylor was dealt a knee injury during international duty with Costa Rica and could miss several weeks of action.

Moreover, defenders Frankie Kent, Stephen Kingsley and Craig Halkett all took part in some partial training this week as they step up their respective recoveries. Aidan Denholm is a few weeks away with his own injury.